Gas-pressure regulator



Feb. 22, 1927. 1,618,396

J. M. WILKINS E ET AL GAS PRESSURE REGULATOR Filed April 8. 1924 Patented Feb. 22, 1927.

UNITED STATES 1,618,396 PATENT OFFICE.

JAMES M. WILKINS AND LOUIS N. ROHB, OF DECATUR, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNORS TO ADOLPI-I MUELLER, TRUSTEE, OF DECATUR, ILLINOIS.

GAS-IERESSURE REGULATOR.

Application filed April 8,

The present invention relates to pressure regulators, and has among its objects to improve the valve construction, more particularly the means for retaining the valve and its associated parts in proper position; and

to provide a construction which permits the ready removal of the valve and its support, and at the same time insures the proper positioning or centering of the valve, both laterally and angularly with respect to its scat upon replacement.

In a regulator of this type, the valve is ordinarily carried by a movable member, such as a lever, and it is desirable to permit a slight rocking movement of the valve and also a vertical self adjusting movement toward and from its seat, to ensure proper seating at the same time limiting or preventing the rotation of the valve. It is also very important that the valve be properly centered with respect to its seat after it has been removed or has been adjusted inany manner. The invention has to do with features which accomplish these objects, as will be more clearly understood from the following description of the preferred embodiment of the invention shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view,

Figure 2 is a bottom plan view of the %ever support, the valve and a portion of the ever,

Figure 8 is a sectional view of the valve,

Figure 4 is a bottom plan of the valve 35 proper, and

Figure 5 is a fragmentary plan View. Referring to the drawings for a more detailed description, the invention is shown as 4 applied to a regulator of ordinary construction, and comprising a casing having a body portion 10, a removable cover 11 detachably connected to the body portion, and a flexible diaphragm 12, the margin of which is clamped between the coverand the casing. 40 A spring 13 normally urgesthe diaphragm downward, and its-tension maybe varied by means of an adjustment screw 14. 13cneath the diaphragm and to the same is connected a post 15, as by means of a screw 16 passing through the diaphragm, the post being in turn pivotally connected to a valve carrying or actuating member which, in the present instance, is a lever 17. The lever is pivoted upon a pin 18, and carries a valve 19, provided with a seat engaging washer 1924. Serial No. 705,019.

20 positioned over a removable valve seat 21.

So much of the construction as above described is old and well known in the art, and does not, broadly, constitute a part of the present invention. The valve lever 17 is, however, removably positioned within the casing, so that it may be taken from the casing with the valve as a unit. Additionally, the lever is mounted upon a member provided with fulcrum means therefor, the member being removable with the lever and valve unit. Any suitable removable device may be employed, but it is preferable that the same may be of such a character that it may be freely inserted into and removed from the casing without the necessity of adjusting or securing means. The member, in the present instance is in the form of a yoke, comprising upright portions 22 connected at their upper ends by means of a cross plate or strip 23. Each upright has extending outwardly therefrom an car 24, formed with openings which receive the ends of the pivot pin 18, and their lower ends are connected by a'transverse web 25. It will be understood, of course, that the specific construction of the lever support above described may be varied considerably without departing from the invention, it being desirable, however, to form the same so that it may be provided with means adapted to cooperate with the casing to insure a replacement of the same in a fixed position after it has been removed. For this purpose, the casing and yoke are provided with complementary stud and socket positioning means; the specific embodiment of such means in this instance being a pin or stud 26 extending downwardly from the yoke adapted to engage a socket 27, formed in the casing. The plate 23, at the top of the yoke,'is of angular formation, as shown in Figure 2 of the drawings, and engages a recess 23 in the casing, said recess 23' extending radially out from the cup or dish portion 24: as shown in Figure 1. This fulcrum member is of such length that when 'in place, the plate 23 will be clamped by fulcrum member, to be conveniently withdrawn, or laced in position. The angular head 23 wlll, of course, prevent any angular displacement or turning of the fulcrum member upon the stud and socket connection at the lower end, thus insuring an accurate positioning, and maintenance of such position, of the valve relative to its seat. At the same time. the entire valve mechanism, including the fulcrum member, the lever, and the valve, may be taken out and returned as a unit for'the purposes of repair; replacement; adjustment, or the like, when the cover 11 has been removed.

Ordinarily, however, mere adjustment of the valve is accomplished without removing the lever and its support, the outlet orifice 29 giving access for such adjustment. The valve proper comprises a cup 30 formed with an opening 31 through which projects a supporting screw 32, the bevelled head of the latter being within the cup and permitting the same to swivel freely. The screw extends through a threaded opening in the end of the lever and is formed with an end slot 33, which may be engaged as by inserting a tool through the outlet orifice 29, a lock nut 33 serving to retain the screw in any selected position of adjustment.

he seat engaging washer 20 is retained within the cup 30, preferably by means which engages only the marginal portion of its face, and, therefore, does not obstruct the passage through the valve seat 21. For this purpose, a ring-like retainer 35 is sprung within the cup and frictionally engages the inner wall of the same below the washer, the cup being formed with a groove or undercut 36 which serves as a seat for the retaining ring and prevent its accidental displacement.

The ring is preferably formed by bending a length of spring wire or similar material at an intermediate portion, and bending laterally therefrom, as at .38, parallel terminal portions 38, which, when applied to the valve cup, extend laterally through an openin 39 formed irf'the side wall of the cup. he arms 38 project upwardly on opposite sides of the valve supporting lever, and thus prevent rotation of the cup 30 upon the adjusting screw 32. As will be noted from an inspection of Fi ure 2, the arms are slightly spaced from tle sides of the lever, so that a slight rocking movement of the valve cup is permitted. which is desirable in order to insure proper seating of the valve. It will be noted that the retaining ring by being formed with the arms 38, performs the dual function of retaining the washer 20 in position, and of preventing rotating movement of the valve cup, while at the same time it permits vertical adjustment of the valve supporting screw.

When the washer 20 is to be replaced,

after the lever and its su port have been removed from the casing, t e retaining ring is grasped at the bend 38 to contract the annular portion 35, it being then ossible to remove the ring from the cup; t e ring is similarly contracted when replaced within the cup.

It being understood that modifications can be made in the construction illustrated and described without departing from the invention, what we claim is:

1. In a pressure regulator, the combination of a casing enclosing a regulating apparatus including a movable valve support, a valve carrying pin on said support, a valve mounted on said pin, a removable seat e11- gaging member on said valve, and means engaging the face of said member at its margin only to retain said member on said valve, said means being carried directly by said movable valve suppo t independently of said valve pin.

2. In a pressure regulator, the combination of a casing enclosin a regulating apparatus including a mova le valve support, a valve carrying pin on said support, a valve mounted on said pin, a removable seat engaging member on said valve, and readily removable means engaging the face of said member at its margin only to retain said member on said valve, said means being carried directly by said movable valve support independently of said valve pin.

3. In a pressure regulator, the combination of a casing enclosin a regulating apparatus including a mova le valve support, a valve carrying pin on said sup ort, a valve mounted on said pin, a removable seat engagin member on said valve, and spring means for retaining said member on the valve engaging the face of said member at its margin only.

4. In a pressure regulator, the combination of a casing enclosing a regulating apparatus including a movable valve support, a valve carrying pin on said support, a valve loosely mounted on said pin, a removable seat engaging member on said valve, and means for retainin said member on the valve, said means serving also to hold the valve against rotation on said pin.

5. In a pressure regulator, the combination of a casing enclosing a regulating apparatus including a movable valve support, a valve carrying pin on said support, a valve mounted on said pin, a removable seat engaging member on said valve, and means for retaining said member on the valve, said means being formed to engage the valve and a portion of the regulator which is stationary with respect to the valve to hold said valve against rotation.

6. In a pressure regulator, the combination of a casing enclosing a regulating apparatus including a movable valve support,

Qil

a valve carrying pin on said support, a valve loosely mounted on said pin, a removable seat engaging member on said valve, and spring means for retaining said member on the valve, said spring means serving to hold the valve against rotation on said pin.

.7. In a pressure regulator, the combination of a casing enclosing a regulating apparatus including a movable valve support, a valve carrying pin on said support, a valve loosely mounted on said pin, a removable seat engaging member on said valve, and spring means for retaining said member on the valve, said means being formed to engage the valve and a portion of the regulator which is stationary with respect to the valve, said spring means serving also to hold said valve against rotation.

8. In a pressure regulator, the combination of a movable valve support, an adjustable valve carrying pin on said support, and a valve loosely carried by said pin, the valve comprising a cup, a seat abutment member within the cup, and means holding the seat within the cup, said means projecting laterally through the wall of the cup and serving to maintain the valve against rotation on said pin.

9. In a pressure regulator, the combination of a movable valve support, an adjustable valve carrying pin on said support, and a valve loosely carried by said pin, the valve comprising a cup, a seat abutment member within the cup, and spring means holding the seat within the cup, said means projecting laterally through the wall of the cup and engaging a relatively immovable member to maintain the valve against rotation on said pin.

10. In a pressure regulator, the combination of a movable valve support, an adjustable valve carrying pin on said support, and a valve loosely carried by said pin, the valve comprising a cup, a seat abutment memberv within the cup, and means holding the seat within the cup, said means projecting laterally through the wall of the cup and having means adapted to engage the valve support to prevent rotation of said valve on'its carrying pin.

11. In a pressure regulator, the combination of a movable valve support, an adjustable valve carrying pin on said support, and a Valve loosely carried by said pin, the valve comprising a cup, a seat abutment member within the cup, and means holding the seat within the cup and having a pair of fingers adapted to engage the valve support to prevent rotation of said valve on its carrying pin.

12. In a pressure regulator, the combination of a movable valve support, a valve freely mounted on said support and provided at its lower end with a recess, a seating membermounted in such recess, a seat retainer engaging the face of said seat at its outer margin and interlocked with said valve and means carried by said seat retainer to engage a relatively fixed part of the regulator and hold said valve against rotation.

13. In a pressure regulator, the combination of a movable valve support, a valve freely mounted on said support and provided with a recess at its lower end, a seat ing member mounted in such recess, an expansible seat retainer engaging the face of said member at its outer margin and interlocked with said valve, and means carried by said seat retainer to engage a relatively fixed part of the regulator and hold said valve against rotation.

14. In a pressure regulator, the combination of a movable valve support, a valve freely mounted on said support and provided with a recess at its lower end, a seating member mounted in such recess, an expansible spring loop engaging the face of said member at its outer margin and interlocked with said valve, and an arm extending from said spring loop to engage a relatively fixed part of the regulator and hold said valve against rotation.

15. In a pressure regulator, the combination of a movable valve support, a valve freely mounted on said support and provided with an undercut recess at its lower end, a seating member mounted in said recess, an expansible spring loop engaging the face of said member at its outer margin and interlocked with the undercut recess in said valve, and an arm extending from said spring loop toengage a relatively fixed part of the regulator and hold said valve against rotation.

16. In a pressure regulator, the combination of a movable valve support, an adjustable valve carrying pin on said support,

and a valve loosely carried by said pin, the valve comprising a cup, a seat abutment member within said cup, and a seat retainer in said cup, said retainer being in the form' of a spring loop frictionall en a in the Wall of the cup and having a pgrt ion prd jecting outwardly through the cup wall adapted to engage a relatively fixed portion ofv the regulator to prevent rotation of the valve.

17. In a pressure regulator, the combination of a movable valve support, an adjustable valve carrying pin on said support, and a valve loosely carried by said pin, the valve comprising a cup, a seat abutment member within said cup, and a seat retainer in said cup, said retainer being in the form of a spring loop frictionally engaging the wall of the cup, a pair of fingers projecting laterally through the Wall of the cup and adapted to engage the valve support to prevent rotation of the valve on said pin.

18. In a pressure regulator, a casing,

pressure actuated mechanism in said casing including a diaphragm, a lever connected with said diaphragm, a valve operated by said lever, a fulcrum for said lever, a member carrying the fulcrum for the lever and removable from and insertible into the easing of the lever as a unit, said member being vertically disposed in said casing and 111- terlocked with said casing at its upper and lower ends respectively whereby it is held in position, and a cover section for said casing upon removal of which said diaphragm and said fulcrum carrying member and lever are removable.

19. In a pressure regulator, a casing,

pressure actuated mechanism in said casing including a diaphragm, a lever connected with said diaphragm, a valve operated by said lever, a fulcrum for said lever, a memher carrying the fulcrum for the lever and removable from and insertible into the casing of the lever as a unit, said member being vertically disposed in said casing and interlocked with said casing at its upper and lower ends respectively whereby it is held in position, and a cover section for said casing upon removal of which said diaphragm and said fulcrum carrying member and lever are removable, said cover section when in position serving toretain said fulcrum car rying member against movement by abutment with the upper end of the same.

20. In a pressure regulator, a casing, pressure actuated mechanism in said casing including a diaphragm, a lever connected with said diaphragm, a valve operated by said lever, a fulcrum for said lever, and a member carrying the fulcrum for the lever and removable from and insertible into the casing with the lever as a unit, complementary stud and socket positioning means on the member and casin below the lever fulcrum to hold the mem er in position, and a cover section for said casing upon removal of which said diaphragm and said fulcrum carrying member and lever are removable, said cover section when in position serving to retain the elements of said stud and socket positioning means against separation by abutment with the upper end of said ful crum carrying member.

21. In a pressure regulator, a casing, pres sure responsive valve mechanism in said casing comprising a diaphragm. a lever operatively associated with said diaphragm, a valve actuated by said lever, and a member removably positioned in said casing carrying fulcrum means for said lever, said member being removable and insertible into said casing with the lever and valve as a unit, said casing being formed with a socket receiving the lower end of said member and thereby to assist in retaining it in position, and a cover section in said casing upon removal of which said diaphragm and valve unit may be freely withdrawn from the casing, said cover section serving to lock said lever fulcrum member in position within the casing by abutment with the upper end of said member.

In testimony whereof we have hereunto set our hands.

JAMES M. WILKINS. LOUIS N. ROHR. 

